Card printing machine



Dec. 29, 1942. (3; GRANT ETAL 2,306,694

CARD PRINTING MACHINE v Original Filed.Apri1 27, 1940' 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Dec. 29, 1942.

c. GRANT E'ILAL 2,306,694

CARD PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed April 27, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Dec. 29, 1942. 0. GRANT ETAL CARD PRINTING MACHINE 1 Original FiledApril 27, 1940 5 Shee'ts-Sheet I5 I Fan-nun:

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C. GRANT ET AL CARD PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed April 27, 1940 Dec.29, 1942.

Dec. 29, 1942 c. GRANT ET AL CARD PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed April27, 1940 Tiafli 5 Sheets Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 29, 1942 UNlTED STATE iTENT. OFFICE CARD PRINTING MACHINE Original application April 27, 1940,Serial No. 332,060. Divided and this application October 25, 1940,Serial No. 362,852

4 Claims.

This application is a division of our copending application Serial No.332,060, filed April 27, 1940, and the invention appertains to printingor stamping machines, and more especially to card printing machines ofthe general type disclosed in Patent No. 2,039,600, granted May 5, 1936,to Joseph Locke. As described in that patent, these machines areprimarily adapted for use in public libraries and generally similarplaces where books or other articles are borrowed or removed from theirplace of collection or custody, and the purpose of the machines is toprovide a means for expeditiously recording the borrowing transactionand for identifying the borrower, as by stamping or printing suitableindicia upon a card or other record sheet.

According to the usual manner of use of these machines in publiclibraries, there is provided a type carrier or card having a type platefixed thereto and bearing a number or other indicia for identifying aparticular patron or borrower. The machines are so constructed that thistype card may be inserted therein to enable a printing or stampingimpression to be made upon another record card when the latter isinserted in the machine, suitable controls being provided as a part ofthe machine to automatically produce the printing or stamping operationincident to the insertion of the record card into a guide or openingprovided in the machine to receive the same. Provision is also usuallymade for printing or stamping a date or other time indicia upon therecord card simultaneously with the printing or stamping of the indiciarepresented on the type plate of the other card, the dating means beingpreferably adjustable to record selective dates corresponding to thedate of the borrowing transaction or to the date when the borrowed bookor other article is due to be returned.

In the preferred form of these machines in their present day use, theprinting or stamping operations are automatically controlled responsiveto insertion of the record card into the machine, as above indicated, tooperatively position the same respecting the type plate card or typecarrier which has been previously inserted. The automatic controlmechanism is so constructed and arranged that only a single printing orimpression is made at one time upon the record card, although it is tobe understood that each impression may consist of one or more numbers,dates, or other indicia, or combinations thereof, according to theparticular transaction to which the machine has been adapted.

To enable the recording of successive transactions upon the same recordcard, the record card is automatically notch-or a small portion thereofcut away at one edge incident to each printing or stamping impressionmade thereon by the machine, thus causing successive impressions to bemade on the record card in orderly and regularly spaced fashion, onebelow the other. The notching or cutting away of a portion of the cardis also utilized to automatically render the card-controlled meanstemporarily inoperative pending subsequent manipulation of the recordcard after each impression is made thereon.

The primary feature disclosed in the Locke patent hereinabove referredto has to do With a positive control of the printing or stampingoperation so that inadvertent or accidental successive impressions willnot be produced. This feature is attained by a special automatic controlmechanism of the card-operated type, which requires that the record cardmust be necessarily withdrawn from the machine for an appreciable orpredetermined distance after each printing or stamping operation, beforethe machine is conditioned for performing a succeeding printing orstamping operation.

The present invention has for one of its primary objects the attainmentof the same general automatic safety feature referred to in thepreceding paragraph, but through means of a substantially different,more simple, and less costly mechanism.

With the foregoing as a background for the present invention, we shallnow pass to a brief description of the additional features ofimprovement which have been embodied in our new printing machine.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a printingmachine of the aforementioned character wherein the principal operatingelements of the machine are all mounted on a common supporting base insuch manner that greater accuracy in the machining of the parts and thebase is possible, and giving rise to easier and a more simple assemblyand interchangeability of the parts, more eflicient action thereof, withless noise, longer wear, and greater freedom from clogging byaccumulation of dirt, lint, etc., and requiring less service andinspection time as compared with previous machines heretofore available.

The invention further contemplates an improved assembly of the actuatingmeans for the printing elements and the card notching punch, saidactuating means being so constructed and arranged that the movement ofthe movable printing element may be reduced to a minimum, While at thesame time a substantially greater movement may be imparted by theactuating means to the card notching punch.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will behereinafter described and the novel features thereof defined by theappended claims.

In the drawings Figure l is a top plan view of a card printing machineconstructed in accordance with our invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the machine in side elevation, with the outercasing or housing shown in section and exposing the assembly of theprincipal operating elements of the machine;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the machine with the casing or housingand certain other parts removed;

Figure 4 is a view of the machine in end elevation, with the casing orhousing shown in section and exposing the inner assembly;

Fgure 5 is a view generally similar to Figure 2 as seen from theopposite side of the machine, and with the casing partly broken away andshown in section;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken about on the line I--'|of Figure 3, showing the card punch and certain of the operatingcontrols in their normal positions just prior to actuation of thecard-controlled trip or trigger, the record card which actuates the tripor trigger being shown in section and out of engagement with the trip ortrigger;

F gure 8 is a view generally similar to Figure '7, showing thecard-controlled trip or trigger depressed by the card to initiate theprinting or stamping operation, and also showing in dotted lines theaction of the punch in cutting a notch in'the edge of the card, and theaction of the normally closed safety switch which assures deenerglzationof the platen operating solenoid responsive to each printing stroke ofthe platen;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary enlarged detail view of the card punch whichis shown on its return stroke which follows each printing impression,with the record card engaged by a notch in the punch to displace thecard from its initial triggerdepressing position shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken through the card punchabout in the plane of the card-controlled trigger or trip, the recordcard being shown in a position similar to that in Figure 7 Figure 11 isa horizontal sectional view taken about on the line I I--I I of Figure9;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view taken about on the line I2-I 2 ofFigure 9;

Figure 13 is a circuit diagram of the complete control circuit;

Figure 14 is a perspective View of a typical record card, illustratingtwo successive typical printing impressions and corresponding notches inthe edge of the card, portions of the card which are successively cutaway being represented in dotted lines;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a typical type carrier having theform of a card upon which a type plate is mounted;

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, partly in section andpartly in elevation, showing the movable platen and its relationship tothe record card, type plate card and interposed inked ribbon and ribbonguides, the latter being shown in section; and

Figure 1'7 is a sectional view taken about on the line III'I of Figure16, and showing the adjustable eccentric pin which serves to adjust themovable platen.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the severalfigures of the drawings, in which I generally denotes a base or framewhich is preferably provided with resilient feet or legs 2, and servesas a common support for the various mechanism which make up the printingmachine assembly. The base is constructed of any suitable material,preferably metal, of such thickness and weight to insure rigiditythereof. If desired, the base may be made in the form of a one-piececasting having suitable standards and lugs formed as an integral partthereof and rigidly braced by reenforcing web or the like. Detachablysecured to the base I in any suitable manner is an outer casing orhousing, generally designated 3, which serves to substantially enclosethe operating parts of the mechanism which are mounted on the base. Forconvenience in guiding the housing or casing 3 in its assembly onto thebase I, and resisting lateral displacement thereof relative to the base,the base is preferably provided at each corner with a short upright pinor dowel 4 which is adapted to be received in a recess or aperture 5formed in a lateral flange or lug 6 provided at each lower corner of thecasing or housing. The upper side of the casing or housing 3 is providedwith a generally rectangular opening I in which a cover plate 8 isadapted to be removably mounted, flush with the upper side of thehousing, as clearly shown in the drawings. The cover 8 carries certainparts of the printing mechanism hereinafter more fully described, andthe cover is preferably attached to and wholly supported by the base I,as by means of a pair of screws 9, 9, extending through the cover nearone edge thereof and into threaded sockets I0, I0 formed in the upperends of the laterally spaced standard II, II extending upwardly from thebase I and braced by the integral webs I 2, I2 and interconnecting webI3. The upper ends of the screw sockets It, Ii are respectively enlargedto receive annular bosses I4 formed on the lower side of the cover 8about the respective openings through which the attaching screws 9, 9pass, the bosses I4 having a close fit in the upper enlarged ends of thescrew sockets I3, ID to accurately position the cover 8 in the opening Iof the casing or housing 3, with sufficient clearance between the coverand the housing to permit free removal of the cover. By reason of thisconstruction just described, vibrations and noise transmitted to thehousing or casing 3 in the operation of the machine are reduced to aminimum.

To further insure reduction of noise and substantially silent operationof the machine, the casing or housing 3 may be lined interiorly with alining of felt or other sound-absorbing material, as indicated at I5.

Along the edge of the cover 8 opposite to the attaching screws 9, 9,there is provided a vertical wall, generally designated I6, extendingupwardly therefrom, and substantially co-extensive with this wall I6 isa vertical wall H, which depends from the lower side of the cover. Thewalls I6 and I! are provided with a continuous recess I8 facing towardsthe corresponding end of the ma- I chine, (the lefthand end as viewed inFigures 1 and 3). The width of this recess l8 generally corresponds tothe width of card it shown in Figure 15, this card constituting a typecarrier, as indicated by the type plate 29 afiixed to the card. Asshown. in Figure 15, the type plate 29 is provided with indicia 2! ofany suitable character, which indicia may be formed by stamping orotherwise embossing the type plate to raise the indicia out of the planeof the type plate, enabling the same to produce a printing or stampingimpression upon another card, such as the record card 22 shown in Figure14. The type plate card 58, with the type plate 20 attached thereto, isinsertable into the upper end of the recess 98 above described, and isfreely movable in a downward direction in the recess to locate the typeplate 28 at a suitable position in front of the depending wall H, asclearly shown in Figure 16. In order to accommodate the additionalthickness of the type plate 20 by affording suflicient clearancetherefor to permit-the type card [9 to be inserted in and withdrawn fromthe recess 48, the back wall of the recess is provided with anadditional recess 23 generally corresponding in width to the width ofthe type plate 20.

Also provided in the walls It and H and laterally spaced from the recessi8 is a vertically elongated recess 28 in which is slidably mounted adate bar generally designated 25. This date bar carries a plurality ofinterchangeable type plates, generally similar to type plate 26,arranged one above the other on the date bar. The details of theconstruction of this date bar 25 and its type plates can best beunderstood from reference to the Locke patent hereinbefore referred to,and the additional patents referred to therein, for which reason thesedetails are not illustrated or described in the present application. Itis to be understood, however, that the date bar 25 is verticallyadjustable in the recess 25, which adjustment is obtained by a pinion 26fixed to a shaft 21 which extends laterally through one side of thehousing or casing 3, as best shown in Figure 6. The outer end of theshaft carries a knob or hand wheel 28 which is preferably removablyattached to the shaft 21, as by means of a set screw. A spring-presseddetent 29 serves to limit rotation of the knob or hand wheel 28 inadjusting the same to the date selective positions, corresponding to therespective dates or other time indicia depicted on the type platescarried by the date bar. The pinion 26 meshes with teeth formed on theback of the date bar, so that by rotating the knob or hand wheel 28 inone direction or the other, the date bar may be vertically adjusted inthe recess 24 to selectively position the respective type plates carriedthereby in horizontal alinement with the type plate 20 on the type cardl9, when the latter card is inserted in its recess I8 to condition themachine for a printing operation.

Mounted on the front face of the wall I! which depends from the lowerside of the cover 8 is a relatively thin plate 36, as best shown inFigure 16. This thin plate 33 extends across the type card recess 18 anddate bar recess 24, and is provided with suitable openings with whichthe type plates on the card 19 and on the date bar 25 can be registered.The lower edge of the plate 30 has a portion thereof laterally offset,as at 3|, the offset projecting into the recess l8 at the lower end ofthe latter, and serving as an abutment to positively limit the downwardmovement of the type card [9 in the recess l8. The abutment 3| date bar25.

may be formed as an integral part of the plate 30, by providing a shorttongue or flange on its lower edge. The plate 30 is also provided with aplurality of guides for receiving and guiding an inking ribbon 32 whichis fed across the front of the plate 30, the ribbon being intermittentlyunwound from one spool 33 and wound upon another spool 34. The ribbonspools are suitably mounted on the lower side of the cover 8, and areintermittently actuated by a feeding mechanism, the details of which arenot material to the present invention. Sufiice it to say that the ribbonmechanism is preferably carried by the cover 8 which, in turn, isattached to the base I and not to the casing or housing 3. The ribbonfeeding action is controlled by an actuator bar 35 which is slidablymounted on the lower side of the cover 8, as shown in Figures 5, '7 and8. By intermittently reciprocating the actuator bar 35, the ribbon 32will be moved intermittently in front of the type plates and across theopenings in the thin plate 30 in an obvious manner.

Attached to the forward edge of the cover 8 and extending upwardlytherefrom is a record card guide, generally designated This guide 36 isadapted to receive the record card 22 and guide the same into a positionfor receiving printing or stamping impressions thereon produced by thetype plates hereinbefore referred to. In order to space the record cardfrom the inked ribbon 32, and prevent the card from catching or hangingon the ribbon as the record card 22 is inserted into the machine, thereis provided another thin metal plate 37 which is attached to thedepending wall I! in such manner that it extends across the ribbon 32 inslightly spaced relation to the same, as clearly shown in Figure 16.This plate 31 is also provided with suitable apertures registering withthe apertures in the plate 30 and with the type plates on the respectivetype card 59 and date bar 25.

To produce a printing or stamping impression upon the record card 22,there is provided a platen generally designated 38, which is movabletowards and away from the cooperating printing elements consisting ofthe type plate 20 on the type card l9 and the type plates carried by theThus, when the record card 22 is inserted downwardly through the guide36 until it is interposed between the platen 38 and the type plates, aprinting or stamping impression may be made upon the record card bymoving the platen 38 into engagement with the record card 22 to forcethe record card firmly against the type and interposed inking ribbon 32.The operation of the movable platen 38 is preferably automatic andresponsive to the insertion of the record card 22 into the machine, andthe means by which this automatic action is produced will now bedescribed in detail.

The platen 38 is fixed to the upper end of a lever or arm 39, the lowerend of which is pivotally secured to the base I, as at 43 (see Figure2). The upper end of the arm 39 is connected by a link 41 to a crank arm42 fixed on an oscillatable shaft 43. The shaft is journaled in spacedstandards 44, 44, which extend upwardly from the base [and arepreferably integrally formed therewith and suitably braced by the websd5, 45, and the interconnecting web 46. Oscillating movement is impartedto the shaft A3 in any suitable manner, but preferably by anelectro-magnetic means of the solenoid and plunger type. The solenoid isgenerally indicated at 47, and is moiuited on the base I with its hollowcore dis-- posed in a vertical position to receive the plunger 48. Theupper end of the plunger 48 has a bifurcated link 49 pivotally connectedthereto, and the upper end of the link 49 is pivotally connected to acrank arm 50 fixed to one end of the shaft 13, so that oscillatingmovement will be imparted to the shaft 43 responsive to verticallyreciprocal movement of the plunger 58. The energization anddeenergization of the solenoid 41 is controlled by the record card 22 ina manner now to be described.

Mounted on the base I at the side opposite to the solenoid 41 is astandard having attached thereto at its upper end a block, generallydesignated 52. Formed in the inner face of the block 52 is an elongatedgroove 53 which extends the full height of the block. The upper end ofthe groove meets the lower end of the card guide 36 on the cover 8, andis coextensive with the outer edge of the card guide, so that, when therecord card 22 is inserted in the guide 38 and moved downwardlytherethrough, the outer edge of the card will freely pass into thechannel 53 in the block 52, which serves to guide the edge of the cardin its further movement in a downward direction. The block 52 is alsoprovided with a horizontal bore 54, which is extended completely throughthe block from front to back. Mounted in the bore 54 is a punch 55having an enlarged head 55 formed on its forward end. The forwardportion of the bore 54 is enlarged to guide the head of the punch whichis axially reciprocal in the bore, and a spring 51 is disposed in theenlarged end of the bore and abuts against the inner side of the punchhead 56 as to normally urge the punch in a forward direction. The rearend of the punch extends across the card guiding channel 53 in the block52, as clearly shown in Figures 7 to 12 inclusive. The rear end of thepunch is cut away, as at 58, to form a cutting shoulder 59. Mounted inthe rear end of the bore 54 in the block 52 is a sleeve 55 having ashoulder 6i disposed for cooperation with the cutting edge of the punch.The punch 55 is normally positioned so that when a record card 22 isinserted in the guide 36 and moved downwardly through the guidingchannel 53 in the block 52, the lower corner of the card will ultimatelyengage the punch, as shown in Figure 8,

thus preventing further downward movement of the record card. When therecord card thus engages the punch, its lower end will have reached aposition between the cooperating printing elements hereinbeforedescribed, which position corresponds to the printing or stampingposition. In this position of the record card, its lower corner isdisposed in back of the cutting shoulder 59 on the punch, so that, ifthe punch is now moved rearwardly to the dotted line position shown inFigure 8, it will cut a small rectangular notch in the edge of therecord card. When the notch has been cut in the record card, the recordcard 22 may then be moved downwardly for a further distance to positionthe record card for receiving a subsequent printing impression slight-1y above the preceding printing impression. Accordingly, it will beunderstood that successive notchings of the card afford a control of theprinting impressions so that they may be made upon the record card in anorderly fashion one above the other.

The cutting stroke of the punch is produced by a system of actuatinglevers which are operatively connected with the oscillatable shaft 63previously described. As best shown in Figures 3 to 8 inclusive, the endof the shaft 43 Opposite to that which carries the crank arm has fixedthereto a short bifurcated crank arm 62, which in turn is pivotallyconnected to one end of a link 63. The opposite end of the link 63 ispivtally connected to the upper end of a long arm or lever 64 ofapproximately the same length as the arm 39 which carries the movableplaten 38. The lower end of the arm 64 is pivoted, at 65, to the base I.Adjacent to the upper end of the arm 64, there is mounted a hardenedroller 68 which engages the head 56 of the punch 55. It will beunderstood from the foregoing that, when the shaft 43 is rocked in onedirection incident to downward movement of the solenoid plunger 48, thearm 64 will pivot in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 7 and8, causing the hardened roller 66 to press the punch head 58 rearwardlyand impart sufiicient movement to the punch to cut a notch in the edgeof the record card 22, as previously described. The spring 51 serves torestore the punch, as well as the movable platen 38 and the solenoid 48,to their respective initial positions, thus permitting the record card22 to be withdrawn from the machine after a printing operation, and thesame or a diherent record card to be inserted for a subsequent printingoperation.

In order to automatically control the movement of the punch 55 and theplaten 38, there is provided a trip member or trigger 6'! which ispivotally mounted on the block 52 so as to be actuated by the recordcard 22 as it is inserted into the machine and withdrawn therefrom. Thistrip or trigger member is so constructed to be capable of being mountedon a pivot pin 58 having engagement therewith at spaced points toprovide a double pivot bearing assuring perfect alinement of thetrigger. For this purpose, the trigger member is formed so as to besubstantially U-shaped in transverse cross section in the zone of thepivot pin 68, as best shown in Figure 12. One arm 70 of the triggermember is elongated and is normally disposed in a slot H formed in thepunch 55 and extending generally parallel to the central axis of thepunch at one side thereof (see Figures 10 to 12). The free extremity ofthe trigger arm H3 is thus disposed in the path of the lower corner ofthe record card as the latter is moved downwardly through the guidechannel 53 in the block 52, enabling the trigger arm 15 to be depressedas the record card approaches the punch, as clearly shown in Figure 8.Attached to the trigger 61 adjacent to the pivot pin 68 is a laterallyoffset abutment F2 which engages an arm 13 forming a part of a normallyopen control switch generally designated B, which is interposed in theelectric circuit for the solenoid 47. The switch arm l3is preferablymade of a yieidable or spring material, and the switch B is preferablyof such construction that a slight movement of the arm E3 in oppositedirections is sufficient to open and close the switch.

Attached to any convenient stationary part on the base I, such as thestandard 55 which supports the block 52, is a second switch generallydesignated C. This switch is of the normally closed type, and isprovided with an arm '14 adapted to be engaged by an abutment l5 fixedto the punch actuating arm 54, the arrangement being such that theabutment engages the arm l of switch C and opens the contacts of switchC at a predetermined time in the cutting stroke of the punch 55 andcorresponding printing stroke of the platen 38.

Referring now to the circuit diagram shown in Figure 13, i6 designates aplug which is mounted on the base I of the machine at one end thereof soas to remain attached to the base when the housing or casing 3 isremoved. The housing is provided with a notch in the lower edge of itsend wall to receive the plug I5 as the housing is applied onto'the base.Also attached to the base at any convenient point is a single-poledouble-throw switch generally designated TI, which is also receivable ina notch in the corresponding wall of the housing 3 so as to enable thehousing to be mounted on the base and removed therefrom withoutdisturbing the switch I1. The movable arm I8 of the switch I'l isconnected by a conductor I9 to one side of the plug I6. This switch armi8 is selectively engageable with spaced contacts 80, 8|, across whichis shunted a resistance element 82. Leading from one of the switchcontacts, such as 80, is a conductor 83 which is connected to one sideof the normally open switch B. The other side of switch B is connectedby a conductor 84 to one end of a relay coil 85. The other end of therelay coil 85 is connected by a conductor 85 to one side of the normallyclosed switch C, and the other side of the normally closed switch C isconnected by a conductor 87 to a conductor 88 leading back to theopposite side of the plug I6. The relay coil 85 serves to actuate anarmature 89 carrying spaced contacts 90, 9|, which are disposed foroperative engagement with corresponding spaced contacts 92 and 93.Contacts 90 and BI are in electrical conductive relation to each other,so that, when they engage contacts 92, 93, they will establish a circuitacross these contacts. Contact 93 is connected by a conductor 94 to thecontact 80 of switch 11, and contact 92 is connected by conductors 95and 96 to one end of the solenoid 41. The other end of the solenoid isconnected by a conductor 91 to the center pole of a rheostat 98, and theother side of the rheostat is connected by a conductor 99 to anotherconductor I00, which in turn is connected to conductors 8! and 88.Conductors 99-and I00 are connected by a conductor IOI to one side of aparallel circuit consisting of a condenser I02 and a resistance elementI03 arranged in parallel with each other. The opposite side of thisparallel circuit is connected by a conductor I04 to the juncture ofconductors 96 and 95. The purpose of this parallel circuit containingthe condenser and resistance element is to reduce the sparking at therelay contacts and the contacts of the various switches. While the relaymay be of any suitable type, we find that a relay having a relativelyslow release time is best suited for the purposes of our machine. On theother hand, by employing switches B and C of sufficiently high capacity,the relay may be entirely dispensed with, if desired, as will be obviousto those skilled in the art.

Having described the complete circuit, it will be seen that when arecord card 22 is moved downwardly to the position shown in Figure 8,with the lower corner of the record card engaged with and depressing thetrip or trigger 61, normally open switch B will thereby be closed 85.Energization of the relay coil 85 causes con- 7 Iii tacts 90 and 9| toengage the respective contacts 92 and 93, thus establishing a circuitfrom the line plug I6 to the solenoid 4I, energizing the solenoid.Pursuant to the energization of solenoid 41, plunger 48 is drawndownwardly, thus imparting a rocking movement in one direction to thecommon actuator shaft 43, which is operatively connected to the movableplaten 38 and punch 55. The platen is thereby caused to move towards thecooperating printing elements previously described, thereby producing astamping or printing impression upon the record card 22. At about theinstant that the printing or stamping impression is made upon the recordcard, or slightly before the impression is made, the punch 55, which isbeing moved rearwardly at the same time as the platen 38, cuts a notchin the lower corner of the card 22, thereby freeing the trigger or triparm I0 so that it immediately becomes restored to its normal positionshown in Figure '7 by the resilient action of the arm I3, which forms apart of the switch B. By the release of the trip arm I0, the switch B isrestored to its normally open condition, break ng the circuit to therelay coil 85, the deenergization of which causes the relay contacts toopen and break the circuit to the solenoid 41, allowing the solenoidplunger 48 to move upwardly under the influence of the spring 51. Withthe upwa d movement of the plunger 48, the punch and platen 38 are movedback to their initial or normal positions.

The ribbon feed actuator bar 35 is intermittently actuated by an arm I05formed on the upper end of the pivotally mounted punch actuating lever64, the forward end of this arm I 05 having an adjustable abutment inthe form of a screw I05 which may be adjusted to bring about the feedingaction of the linked ribbon at the proper time and with a suflicientamount of feeding movement imparted to the ribbon so as tointermittently present a fresh portion of the ribbon to the printingsurfaces of the type plates. By reason of the particular arrangement ofactuating mechanisms for the platen 38 and the punch 55 as previouslydescribed, the travel or movement of the platen may be kept down to aminimum, while at the same time the travel of the punch is substantiallygreater, thus affording an improved card punching or notching action.

The purpose of the'normally closed switch C will now be described. Itwill be seen from Figure 13 that this switch C is arranged in serieswith the relay coil and switch B, the latter switch being controlled bythe card 22. If the trigger or trip arm I0 should happen to stick or jamwhile in its depressed position shown in Figure 8, it would not releasewhen the card 22 is notched by the punch, and the relay coil 85 andsolenoid 41 would consequently remain energized in the absence of switchC. However, this normally closed switch C is automatically opened at apredetermined instant during the printing operation by engagement of theabutment 15 with the extended arm I4 of this switch, causing the switchC to open and break the circuit in which the relay coil 85 is arranged,thereby positively assuring deenergization of the relay coil andconsequent deenergization of the solenoid 41. The timing of the openingof the switches B and C may be such that the opening takes place atabout the same instant that the impression is made upon the record card22. On the other printing impression is made, in which case theinertiaof the platen 38 will be sufficient to complete the printingstroke thereof before the platen drops back to its initial positionspaced from the cooperating printing element.

The purpose of the switch 18 is to selectively dispose the resistanceelement 82 in the circuit or cut it out of the circuit as a convenientmeans of controlling the weight of the printing impression .made uponthe record card 22, under varying voltage conditions encountered in theuse of the machine. If the voltage of the line circuit to which themachine is connected is normal, the switch 11 may be adjusted to theposition shown in Figure 13, in which position the resistance element 82is cut out of the circuit. On the other hand, should the voltage behigh, the switch 11 may be thrown to bring the arm 18 into engagementwith the contact BI, thereby disposing the resistanc element 82 in thecircuit to offset the higher voltage.

The rheostat 98 affords a still further and finer adjustment of theweight of the printing impression. By manipulating the switch 11 and/orthe rheostat 98, a uniform weight of the printing impressions may beattained irrespective of a reasonable range of variation of the voltageof the lin circuit which is connected 'to the plug 16. These sameelements may be used to change the weight of the printing impressions atany time to suit the particular requirements or desires of the user ofthe machine.

It has been found that in machines of this general type, it is desirableto provide some means for preventing repetition of the printing strokeof the machine wh ch otherwise might happen either through carelessnessin handl ng of the record card 22 by the operator or through someinadvertent or inv luntary depressi n of the trigger or trip arm 19following a particular printing operation where only one stamping orprinting mpressicn is desired. To this end, we have made provisi n forpositively and automatically displacing the record card 22 relative tothe trigger or trip arm after each printing stroke of the machine, tothereby insure release of the trgger or trip arm, and requiring adeliberate manipulation of the record card before a succeeding pr ntingoperation may be performed. Referring t Figures 7 to 18 inc usive, itwill be seen that the upper side of the punch 55 is notched, at I91,this notch be ng disposed forwardly of the cutting face 59 of the punchand extending generally transverselv across the punch. The n tch is prgress vely deeper from fr nt to back, as best shown in Figure 11, and thno ch may slope upwardly from its inner edge adjacent to the record card22 towards the upper side of he punch. It will be seen that the shape ofthe n tch is such as to form an abrupt shoulder I 38 in. the z ne of thetrigger or trip arm 10. Accord ngly, as the punch moves rearwardly tocut away the l wer corner of the record card, as shown in dotted linesin Figure 8, the upper edge of the notch formed in the record card willautomatically be received in the notch I81 as the punch c ntinues itsrearward travel slightly bey nd the card cutting position thereof. Whenthe card has been engaged in the notch H31, it will be automatically andpositively maintained out of engagement with the trigger or trip arm 10,assuring that the trigger or trip arm will be released so as todeenergize the solenoid 41 and cause the platen 38 and punch 55 to berestored to the r normal positions. As the punch moves forwardly duringits return stroke, the record card will be deflected by the shoulder I08at the rear of the notch I01, and drawn forwardly to the position shownin Figure 9. In order to perform another printing operation upon therecord card 22, it is necessary to lift the record card upwardly out ofthe notch I81, and although this upward movement need only be slight, itis sufficient to require a deliberate action on the part of the operatorand to offset any tendency to produce an involuntary or accidentalrepeating operation.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, there is provided a generally cylindricalreceptacle or cup I09 at the rear of the standard 5|, the upper open endof the receptacle being arranged b low the rear end of the bore throughthe block 52 so that, as the record card or cards are punched out by thepunch 55, the fragments, as shown in dotted lines in Figures 8 and 14,will be discharged through the bore behind the punch and will drop intothe receptacle. The receptacle may be held in place in any suitablemanner, resting upon the base I, as by means of a spring clip IIDattached to the inner side of the housing or casing 3 so as to yieldablyurge the receptacle into firm engagem nt with the back of the standard5|.

In order to limit the upward movement of the solenoid plunger 48 and toeliminate or minimize rebound thereof upon completion of the printingstroke, we provide a frame comprising spaced straps III, III mounted onthe upper end of the solenoid 41, one strap at each side of the plunger48. The upper portion of each strap is generally V-shaped, with its apexdisposed in a plane passing transversely through the center of theplunger 48. Attached to the inside of each strap III so as to lie in theV-shaped portion thereof is a pair of resilient cushioning members H2,H2, having their inner surfaces disposed in upwardly converging relationto each other. Extending transversely through the upper end of theplunger 48 and projecting outwardly beyond the opposite sides thereof isa pin II3 which serves to pivotally connect the plunger 48 with the link49 which is pivotally attached to the free end of the crank arm 50 onthe oscillatable shaft 43. The p n H3 is provided on its oppositeprojecting ends with sleeves or collars H4 suitably fixed thereto so asto engage the inner converging surfaces of the resilient members H2, H2as the plunger approaches the upper limit of its vertical movement. Theresilient members H2, H2 thereby constitute abutments for cooperatingwith the collars or sleeves IN on the opposite ends of the pin II 3 tolimit the upward movement of the plunger 48. As the sleeves engage theresilient members, the resilient material, which may be soft rubber, iscompressed somewhat, thereby causing the sleeves or collars to be wedgedbetween the converging surfaces of the resilient material, and theresilient material produces a limited gripping action upon the sleevesor collars, preventing rebound of the plunger.

Referring to Figures 16 and 17, there has been shown a simple means foradjusting the platen 38 and its supporting lever 39 relative to thecooperating printing elements, such adjusting means having the form of apin II5 extending through the upper bifurcated end 39 of the platensupporting lever 39, and provided with an eccentric portion II 6 locatedin the end of the link ll which is connected to the platen supportinglever. By rotating the pin II5, a limited range of adjustment isafforded so that any loose play or wear in the actuating parts may becompensated for, and the weight of the printing impressions may also beadjusted thereby. The pin H may be held against turning in any suitablemanner, as by means of a set screw, not shown.

Carried by the platen supporting lever 39 and disposed below thecooperating printing elements is a plate H'l having its lower end foldedupon itself, as best shown in Figure 2, and forming a stop H8 forlimiting downward movement of the record card 22. When the record cardhas received the maximum number of printing impressions which it ispracticable to make thereon, this card stop prevents the record cardfrom being inserted into the machine to such an extent that it would bedifficult for the operator to rasp the upper edge of the same towithdraw the card from the machine.

As best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 5, a wiring panel I I9 is preferablyprovided to facilitate the wiring of the electrical control elements.This panel is composed of suitable insulating material, such asBakelite, and is attached to the back of the standards H, H in anupright position, and carries a plurality of terminals to which theconductors are connected in the manner of the electrical circuitdiagrammatically shown in Figure IS. The panel also serves as a supportfor the resistance elements 82 and H33, as shown in Figgure 3. Thecondenser I02 is also conveniently supported by the panel.

As shown in Figure 6, the rotatable shaft 21 carrying the pinion 26which serves to adjust the date bar 25, is journaled in a bearing 129provided in the block 52, which is mounted on the standard 5|. In orderto remove the housing or casing 3 from the base i, it is first necessaryto remove the hand wheel or knob 28 from the outer end of the shaft 21,and to displace the shaft axially inwardly through the bearing I untilthe end of the shaft opposite to the pinion 26 is free of the casing anddisposed inwardly thereof. Access to the interior of the machine forfacilitating displacement of the shaft 21, and adjustment of other partsof the mechanisms, such as the rheostat 98, may be readily had byremoving the cover 2 from over the opening I in the top of the casing orhousing 3. To remove this cover, it is simply necessary to remove thescrews or bolts 9, 9, by which the cover is attached to the standardsII, I l.

Operation of the machine should be obvious from the foregoingdescription and may be briefly summarized as follows: A type card, suchas I9, is first inserted and moved downwardly into the recess I8 untilthe lower end of the card engages the abutment 3!, as shown in Figure16. Thereupon, the record card, such as 22, is inserted in the guide 36and moved downwardly until its lower corner depresses the trigger ortrip arm 10 and closes the normally open switch B. Since switch C isnormally closed, the electrical circuit to the solenoid 41 is completed,causing the solenoid to be energized. Energization of the solenoid 41pulls the plunger 33 downwardly, rocking the shaft 43 to pivotallyactuate the platen lever 3% in a direction moving the platen towards thecooperating printing elements, thereby producing a printing or stampingimpression upon the record card. During the printing stroke, the punch55 is actuated by the shaft 43 through the intermediary of the pivotallever 64, causing a notch to be cut out of the corner of the recordcard, which in turn releases the trigger or trip arm 10 and allows thesame to rise to its normal ill elevated position, and the switch B toopen. This in turn deenergizes the solenoid 41, and the platen 38 andpunch 55 move forwardly to their normal positions responsive to theaction of the spring 51. Should the trigger or trip arm it stick, thuskeeping switch B closed, switch C functions automatically by engagementof the abutment E5 on the lever 64 with the extended arm 14 of theswitch C to open the switch, insuring deenergization of the solenoid.Under some circumstances, the operating mechanism may fluttermomentarily, but this is not objectionable, but, in fact, may serve tojar the trigger or trip arm 10 loose where it has previously becomestuck or jammed. It is to be understood, however, that thi is anabnormal condition and rarely occurs in actual use, especially in viewof the double pivot which is provided for the trip arm or trigger 51,and which eifectively maintains the trip arm 19 in alinement with'theslot H in the punch 55. Sufiicient clearance is provided between thetrip arm 1!! and the sides of the slot l! to normally allow freemovement of the trip arm as it is depressed and released by the recordcard 22.

When the punch 55 has cut out a notch in the lower corner of the card,the notched edge of the card is automatically engaged in the notch it!provided in the upper side of the punch, and on the return movement ofthe punch, the shoulder I08 positively displaces the lower end of therecord card to a position as shown in Figure 9, with the record cardfree from engagement with the trip arm i0. This necessitates that therecord card be lifted out of the notch m1 before it can again depressthe trip arm' H3 and produce another printing or stamping impressionupon the card. As the record card 22 is successively notched at its edgeby the punch 55 in the performance of successive printing operations,the printing or stamping impressions will be made upon the card inuniformly spaced relation, one above another, until the card has been sofilled to a point where the lower end thereof will engage the card stopI I8 carried by the pivotal lever 39, and further downward movement ofthe record card is prevented.

While the specific details have been herein shown and described, theinvention is not confilled thereto as changes and alterations may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by theappended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, a stationary member having arecess therein terminating at its inner end in a laterally offset ledgefor receiving an insertable and removable type carrier, a platen movabletowards and away from the stationary member, an inking ribbon movableacross the stationary member between the type carrier recess and theplaten, a guide for guiding a card to be printed between the platen andinking ribbon, and a relatively thin plate disposed on the stationarymember behind the ribbon and extending across the type carrier recessand having an aperture therein for registration with the type on thetype carrier, said plate also having a part laterally offset from theplane thereof and projecting 'into the type carrier recess in thestationary member and overlying the recess ledge in opposed relation tothe latter and constituting an abutment for limiting inward movement ofthe type carrier in the recess.

2. In apparatus of the class described, including cooperative printingelements between which a card or the like is adapted to be inserted andremoved, a card guide for guiding the card during insertion and removalthereof respecting the printing elements, a punch normally disposed inthe path of the card for limiting the inward movement of the card in theguide when the card has reached an operative printing position betweenthe printing elements, said punch having a cutting face arranged to cutaway a portion of the card at one edge thereof incident to the printingoperation on the card whereby to permit further inward movement of thecard in the guide to receive a subsequent printing impression, and meansfor actuating the printing elements and punch in the performance oftheir respective printing and card cutting operations, that improvementwhich comprises a common supporting base for the printing elements,guide and punch aforesaid and their actuating means, a casing removablyattached to the base for housing the printing elements, punch, and theiractuating means, said casing having an opening in the upper side thereofthrough which the card guide is exposed at its entrance to receive thecard, a

support carried by said base and extending upwardly therefrom adjacentto the upper side of said casing, and a cover disposed within theopening in the casing and removably attached to the support aforesaid soas to be wholly supported by the base, said cover having means thereonforming an extension of the card guide.

3. In apparatus of the class described, cooperative printing elementsbetween which a card or the like is adapted to be inserted and removed,

one of said printing elements being movable towards and away from theother, a shiftable punch operable in timed relation to the movableprinting element to notch an edge of the card on printing of the same,spring means acting to arrest and restore the punch and movable printingelement to their initial positions, a rock shaft common to the movableprinting element and punch, and having separate connections to the samefor imparting motion to the movable printing element and punch onrocking of the shaft, electromagnetic means operatively connected to theshaft for imparting rocking motion to the same, said electromagneticmeans including a card-controlled switch normally engageable by the cardto energize the electromagnetic means and disengageable therefrom by thenotching of the card to deenergize the electromagnetic means, and meansinterposed in the connection between the rock shaft and the movableprinting element for adjusting the movable printing element relative toand independently of the punch and the cooperating printing element.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rock shaft is providedwith a crank arm having a link pivotally connected at one end theretoand at its opposite end to the movable printing element, and theadjusting means comprises an adjustable eccentric pin extending throughthe link and movable printing element and forming the pivotal connectiontherebetween.

CHESTER GRANT. JOHN D. COOL. KENNETH LANG.

